2002 & 2003 Release Archive

In Unusual Move, Victims Name Alleged Molesters on Web Site

SNAP to California Bishops, "Protect Kids, Not Abusers"

WHAT:
Holding posters naming accused child molesters, clergy sexual abuse victims will publicly disclose the names of several dozens Los Angeles and Orange County priests who have been or will soon be accused of sexual crimes in civil lawsuits. Most, if not all of the names have not been publicly exposed until today.

SNAP to California Bishops, "Protect Kids, Not Abusers"

WHAT:
Holding posters naming accused child molesters, clergy sexual abuse victims will publicly disclose the names of six current and former Southern California priests and one church lay employee who have been or will soon be accused of sexual crimes in civil lawsuits. Most, if not all of the names have not been publicly exposed until today.

In Unusual Move, Victims Name Alleged Molesters on Web Site

One Man Just Settled His Civil Sex Abuse Lawsuit for Seven Figure Sum

SNAP to California Bishops, " Protect Kids, Not Abusers"

WHAT:
Holding posters naming accused child molesters, clergy sexual abuse victims will publicly disclose the names of ten current and former Northern California priests who have been or will soon be accused of sexual crimes in civil lawsuits. Most, if not all, of the names have not been publicly exposed until today.

For more information:
David Clohessy, SNAP's national director (St. Louis) 314 566 9790 cell
Barbara Blaine, SNAP's founder and president (Chicago) 312 399 4747 cell
Mike Hunter, SNAP's Kansas City leader 913 648 3365

SNAP Is Upset That Bishop Allows Priest To Preserve Secrecy

Abusive Cleric Seeks To Close Court Files & Stop Publicity

Boland "Protects A Grown Up Instead of Kids," Advocate Says

The founder of the nation's largest support group for clergy sexual abuse victims is criticizing Kansas City Bishop Raymond Boland for allowing one of his priests to "fight to keep secrets" about the alleged molestation of two Kansas City area man and woman.

For immediate release:
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003

For more information:
David Clohessy 566 9790
Barbara Dorris 862 7688

Two Mediators Apparently Chosen By Attorneys Involved

Group Urges Victims To Contact Law Enforcement, Not Church

Leaders of a local self-help group for clergy sex abuse victims are urging others who have been molested to be cautious about possible settlement talks with St. Louis archdiocesan defense lawyers.

According to yesterday's St. Louis Review http://www.stlouisreview.com/article.php?id=5152), the archdiocesan weekly newspaper, retired judge Brendan Ryan and attorney Michael Geigerman have been chosen by both sides - attorneys for victims and attorneys for the archdiocese - to act as mediators.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 11, 2003

Contacts:
Barbara Blaine, President & Founder, (312) 399-4747 cell
David Clohessy, National Director, (314) 566 9790 cell
Peter Isely, Board Member, (414) 429-7259 cell
Mark Serrano, Board Member, (703) 727-4940

Six Courageous Priests Praised by Abuse Victims

November 11, 2003/Washington, D.C. – Today the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP, www.snapnetwork.org) called on Catholic Bishops to encourage parishioners, clergy and other s in the church to report all cases, past, present, and future, of sexual abuse to law enforcement authorities. In addition, SNAP asked the bishops to sign a pledge that they will not retaliate or tolerate retaliation in the church against whistleblowers who report abuse claims or suspicions of abuse to civil authorities.

For immediate release:
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003

For more information:
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915

Twice-Accused Maine Cleric Now Lives In NH & Florida

The head of the nation's largest support group for clergy sex abuse victims is asking Catholic bishops to warn their flocks about a retired Maine priest who has twice been accused of molestation and now quietly lives in Gilford.

"Parents, children, neighbors and other members of the community are unaware of Kane's history of sexual abuse of children," said SNAP national director David Clohessy in a letter sent via e mail today to Bishop John J. Nevins of Venice, Florida and Bishop John McCormack of Manchester, New Hampshire. "How are parents in Gilford and elsewhere going to protect their children from sexual abuse if no one tells them that the person who lives next door or down the street could hurt their child?"

For immediate release:
Friday, June 27, 2003

For more information:
Mary Grant, Los Angeles (626) 419 2930 cell, (562) 433 3249 home
Joelle Casteix, Orange County (949) 322 7434 cell, (949) 644-7287 home office
David Clohessy, St. Louis, National Director (314) 566 9790 cell
Terrie Light, San Francisco, Board Member (510) 517 3338
Mark Serrano, Leesburg VA, Board Member (703) 771 9606
Barbara Blaine, Chicago, President (312) 399 4747 cell
Paul Walsh, Boston, (508) 997-0711

SNAP Urges DAs to Release Names of Suspects Not Criminally Charged and Asks Legislators to Toughen Existing Laws

(Statement by Joelle Casteix of Corona Del Mar, CA, who was sexually abused in the Diocese of Orange, CA)

First a few words of thanks are in order.

Thanks to all the lawmakers who voted for the 1994 criminal law. Thanks to the governor who signed it. Thanks to the police and prosecutors who used it to keep our children safe, if only temporarily. Because of the collective efforts of these public officials, some 800 predators were taken off the streets, if only temporarily. Every parent in California should be grateful for this.

For immediate release:
Thursday Feb. 6, 2003

For more information:
David Clohessy of St. Louis, National Director (314) 566-9790 cell
Mark Serrano of Leesburg VA, Board Member (703) 771-9606, 703 727 4940 cell
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, President (312) 399-4747 cell

SNAP Tops 4,500 Members In 44 Active Chapters

The nation's largest support group for clergy molestation victims grew "like wild fire" last year and now has 44 active monthly support groups meeting across the country.

The Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) started 2002 with less than 3,000 members and 9 active local chapters. The organization now has more than 4,500 members in virtually every state, and monthly support group meetings in 44 cities.

Last year, new SNAP support groups formed in 35 cities, including Seattle, Denver, Tampa, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Sacramento, San Diego, Houston, and Portland, OR.

Chapters currently being organized include Orlando, Detroit, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Buffalo, Dallas and Sitka, Alaska.

For immediate release:
Monday, Dec. 9, 2002

For more information:
David Clohessy 314 566 9790, 314 645 5915
Mark Serrano 703 771 9606, 703 727 4940

The nation's leading clergy abuse survivors group is urging three of America's top bishops to speak out against Cardinal Bernard Law, and strip him of any positions he holds within the nation's bishops conference, in light of the most recent horrific disclosures of abuse cover up by Boston archdiocesan leaders.

The three are Wilton Gregory of Bellville, head of USCCB, Harry Flynn of St. Paul, head of the USCCB's Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse, and Robert Brom of San Diego, head of the USCCB's committee on bishops accountability.